Keeping Tabs: Events in and around Boston

Wednesday

As one season ends, another starts to being. This is both true for the Boston Opera and Boston Baroque's seasons coming to an end as we transition from spring to summer.

Soft Cuban Sounds: Intent on breaking the Cuban singer cliché, Alex Cuba (appropriate last name) gives the public a different take on that image, especially since he hails from Canada. He’s gotten praise from Cuban music critics, completely surprised that he comes from a rural area of British Columbia. But it’s his sincere voice and easy style that sends people into a laid-back, musical sunset. Check him out and get ready to feel like you’re relaxing on a beach in the islands. Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Regattabar in Cambridge. Tickets: $16. Call 617-661-5000.

Return of the Pops: So it begins. The Boston Pops 123rd season will start with an opening night featuring Natalie Cole and a 90th birthday tribute to Leonard Bernstein. It also marks the beginning of the public’s growing urge to hear the 1812 overture and Keith Lockhart’s desire to educate the audience by playing, you know, other classical music pieces (yes, there are more). Wednesday, May 7, 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Boston. Tickets: $29-$117. Call 617-266-1200.

Joplin on stage: Well, at least her music will be. “Love, Janis” is a show inspired by the book of the same name written by the rock singer’s kid sister Laura. The book revealed letters Joplin wrote home to her family and described her early career in San Francisco. The show takes the themes of the book (taking a deeper look into Joplin’s life) and incorporates her memorable songs like “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Hopefully, Hollywood will notice how popular this show is and get that biopic of her life in the works. May 7-11, Wednesday 7:30 p.m., Thursday to Saturday 8 p.m., matinees on Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston. Tickets: $45-$65. Call 800-233-3123.

The Fat Lady is Singing: Opera Boston is closing its 2007-2008 season with Verdi’s “Ernani,” making this your last chance to see some opera before it’s beach time (no one likes opera in the summer. It just doesn’t feel right). The show will be sung in Italian with English supertitles (translation will be displayed above the stage). Soprano Barbara Quintiliani returns as “Elvira” in the rarely performed opera about the sweet tragedy of love that includes abductions, false identities, and suicides. I’m starting to understand why this isn’t a summer thing. May 2-6, Friday and Tuesday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston. Tickets: $29-$114. Call 800-233-3123.

Family Theatre: That title does double duty this week because not only is the production “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse” G-rated, but it also includes the Belmont mother and daughter team of Ilyse Robbins (mom) and Abbie Mohr (daughter). Robbins is the leader of the Dancing Mice, a troupe that will perform as large mice dancing during story transitions in the show. As for “Purse,” it follows Lily, a young queen who is eager to show off her new accessory during “Sharing Time,” only to discover that even Queens need to respect others. Through May 11, Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 3 p.m. at the Wheelock Family Theatre in Boston. Tickets: $10-$23. Call 617-879-2300.

Another Season Closes: Boston Baroque plans to close their season with “one of the greatest and most beloved works of the choral repertoire.” Are you ready? Wait for it… It’s Haydn’s “The Creation.” (pausing for your gasp of excitement). The classic oratorio is inspired by the book of Genesis and is considered by many to be Haydn’s masterpiece. Get your summer started with a classical bang. Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, 8 p.m. at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston. Tickets: $25-$63. Call 617-484-9200.

Indie World Music: If she were from Rhode Island, no one would care. But Haale (pronounced like halle-lujah) comes from Persia, and she fuses her heritage into her music, giving her album, “No Ceiling,” a special world music shine. Today, she lives in New York City and is embarking on a short tour. She’s generated some buzz, so it’s worth checking her out. If nothing else, it’s a different musical atmosphere than the saturation of indie rock out there today. Tuesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. at the Regattabar in Cambridge. Tickets: $14. Call 617-661-5000.

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